Register to Attend UNGA80 Side Event on Sepsis and NCDs in New York on September 24

Join high-level policymakers, global health leaders, sepsis advocates, and scholars at the parallel Side Event to the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) on “Sepsis and NCDs  – A Hidden Link in Global Health” on September 24, 2025.

Register Now

For in-person participation, please register by September 17, 2025.

Co-Sponsor Organizations

  • Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA)

  •  Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA)

  • UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health (UNITE)

  • Sepsis Stiftung

  • END SEPSIS – the Legacy of Rory Staunton

  • Virchow Foundation

  • German Health Alliance (GHA)

  • Sepsis Alliance

  • American Medical Women’s Association

Why Sepsis and NCDs?

Sepsis is among the leading causes of mortality, disability, and healthcare expenditures worldwide, responsible for approximately 20% of all annual deaths. According to the latest estimates from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the University of Oxford, in 2021, Sepsis, as an immediate or intermediate cause, was related to 21 million deaths, including 4 million deaths associated with or attributable to AMR. A reinvigorated Sepsis response is essential to accelerate progress towards health-related SDG 3 and 8, other Sustainable Development Goals.

15.8 million Sepsis cases, and 5.1 million Sepsis-related deaths annually arise from infections as complications/exacerbation of NCDs or injuries. Though the intersection of Sepsis with non-communicable diseases is often overlooked in global health dialogues. People living with NCDs – such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory illnesses – are significantly more vulnerable to infections and, consequently, to Sepsis. At the same time, Sepsis Survivors often experience long-term sequelae, including the development or exacerbation of NCDs.

This bi-directional relationship underscores the need to integrate Sepsis prevention, early detection, and management into NCD strategies and broader UHC and health system strengthening efforts.

Objectives of the Side Event

This side event will spotlight the overlooked Sepsis–NCD link and mobilize coordinated, cross-sectoral action by: 

  1. Reaffirming the urgency of political leadership for scaling up the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis to prevent 12 million new cases of Sepsis and avert 2 million avoidable deaths.

  2. Emphasizing the critical need for reinvigorated Sepsis responses at global, regional, and national levels to achieve health-related SDGs – including aspirations for UHC and NCDs.

  3. Raising awareness of the clinical and policy links between Sepsis and NCDs within the context of Universal Health Coverage and SDG 3.

  4. Promoting the recognition of the NCD-Sepsis nexus and the need for integration of Sepsis prevention and management in national NCD strategies and UHC packages.

  5. Discussing strategies to catalyze political leadership, funding, and partnerships for the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis, including scalable models that link Sepsis and NCD care,  especially in LMICs.

Target Audiences

  • UN Member States and permanent missions

  • WHO and other UN agencies

  • Civil society organizations, patient groups, and health advocates

  • Researchers and academics

  • Development partners and philanthropic organizations

Marvin Zick